Southern California -- this just in

Commerce secretary's accidents didn't draw much attention on street

June 11, 2012 | 12:51
pm

The accidents involving U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson on Saturday in the San Gabriel Valley were not significant enough to draw the attention of people along a busy commercial thoroughfare, according to business owners and workers interviewed by The Times.

Bryson allegedly hit a Buick twice Saturday evening on the 400 block of South San Gabriel Boulevard in San Gabriel, then allegedly hit another car minutes later at Hellman Avenue and San Gabriel in Rosemead, authorities said.

Many business owners and workers along those streets were unaware of the accidents. Others said they remembered police and emergency vehicles, but nothing notable enough to draw them from their routines.

“We’re pretty busy on Saturday afternoons,” said a clerk, who gave his name as Singh, at the Double 8 Market Liquor store on San Gabriel and Hellman.

Bryson, former chairman of Edison International, was in Southern California to give the commencement address last Thursday at Pasadena Polytechnic School, which his daughters once attended, school officials said.

Bryson was cited for felony hit-and-run and hospitalized following the accidents, authorities said. He passed a Breathalyzer test, was given medication for the seizure and was released Sunday from a hospital, officials said.